Gym Etiquette

Ok, we have all made those new resolutions. We're all excited and join the gym when, BAM!, You are stuck next to the guy who grunts with every lift or the lady that just wants to chat though the entire workout. It gets us off focus and can even make us not want to come back. I found a neat little article with some ideas and tips to help you through and help keep you focused on what you need to do. It's kind of funny, so enjoy.

27 replies

Gyms can help people but only when the Gym trains their people in first aid for all. Some people need more help then others on the machines, Before joining any Gym ask a lot of questions about the kind of help and coverage they give in the Main room area and the other rooms as well. Also make sure if your paying for the use of their Gym ask them if you can cancel your membership at any time due to health issues or Drs say so. I have learned not to give any Gym access to my bank account.

I don't go to gyms, I have my own weight bench and bench for doing crunches, exercise bike, and other things a jump rope, stationary bike. I make do with the things I do have. I know some are not as fortunate as I am, but I would tell your personal trainer if you have one, or next day go to the other side of the gym.

Circumstances involving my son's uncle on his fathers side netted a visit from his cousin. We were talking about diabetes and exercise. I made mention that I was looking for a used treadmill or exercise bike. She said she has one that she no longer uses and that I could have it if I want it. I offered to buy it but she insisted on just giving it to me. So this weekend my husband is going to get it. Funny how things come to one in a time of need.

When I work out Turn on my iPhone an turn it up enough so basically you can't hear them ,if you don't get ear plugs also try to make sure you don't sit next to him, if you want to ask him , to please try to keep it down, if that Diane work then advise the trainers there. Same with the lady, tell her you'll talk to her later right now your trying to do your workout. That's why they call me grumpy and what ever else.

I never have this problem when I am at the Gym. My nose is to the grindstone, I am a type A personality so there ya go, lol. Dogged to the end. I get in do my workout and get out. In my gym most people do not talk and hang out with each other they are pretty focused.

I live in a relatively small city, ok very small city. My gym is open 24 hours a day. I go to the gym between the hours of 1am and 3am. There are usually no more than a half dozen people there at very most, and half of that is staff. I go in, get on the bike or the treadmill, do my thing, get off and leave. 'Nuff said. HUGS, thanks for the great article. HUGS HEIDI

I had gone to Planet Fitness until I fell and no one came to help me up or to see if I was ok. When I went to see my Dr. I had fractured my right leg just above my knee no more of that for me. I will stick to my walking and it don't cost me a thing to do it.

Wow, that is crazy. I can't believe they didn't have someone come to help. My husband was weighing himself at Publix one day (he has to sit on the scale) and someone saw him and about 3 employees came running. That is how a business should run.

….and this is why I own a treadmill. Although never fails – I’ll be zoned in, just absorbed in a song and the wife will come tap me on the shoulder and scare the crap out of me. New house rule – if you see me using a power tool OR the treadmill – no questions until I’m done unless you know I’ve seen you.When I’m on the road and have to use community facilities, I always have my earbuds in even if I’m not listening to anything.

The problem I encounter at the pool is the chatterbox. If I am water walking or swimming laps, it is not a problem. If I am doing my leg exercises, I am counting repetitions. It is hard to do this when someone is trying to talk to you. Is there a waterproof music player out there?

HI Gabby, thanks for sharing this with us. I have seen each and every one of these examples at the gym I go to. NYC gyms have the added dubious pleasure of being super unfriendly, lots and lots of attitude. Bad energy, as they say. And believe me, if someone perceives that you are stepping out of bounds in any way, you are going to hear about it loud and clear. Yes, just like in the movies. And my gym is supposedly relatively friendly. So I find that I have to be in a really zen-like mental space before I go to the gym. Focused on what I want to accomplish, not expecting politeness, not taking anything personally, staying flexible, doing what I need to do and going on my way.

I just joined a Gym for Christmas…my sainted hubby paid a year up front just so I would have access to a pool…I have a bad lower back and a bad right knee…so swimming is the ideal exercise for me..What I flipping hate is when people have their kids splashing around in the lap pool…it is a freaking lap pool…they have three flipping pools at the gym where I go…ONLY ONE is a lap pool…get out of it unless you are planning on swimming laps!!!!..I have ALREADY "spoken" to two woman and the management…I have plenty of exercise equipment in my house…I am paying $150 bucks a flipping month JUST to have access to the lap pool..I think I should be able to use it to swim laps…rant over…and I feel much better…smile..

Wow! Lots of flips there you must have been very mad. I dont go to gyms but I can understand that it would be very very annoying. If talking to management doesn't work. I would demand your money back. Maybe that will light some fires. Also send letters to the owners/ management and see if that helps. Good luck

I have had a similar problem in the pool at my wellness center. Half of the pool is for swimming laps and the other half for the walkers/exercisers. Sometimes the swimmers do not want to share their side and come over onto the walkers side. This makes it extremely difficult for walkers with balance issues. I talked to management several times and finally they started enforcing their own policy.

Right now, my gym is pacing back and forth through my home or taking my dog for a walk. I could not handle going to a gym. I get very nervous in crowds especially if I don't know anyone. I was a dance instructor for years so I do, at times, dance around the house. I am going to get a stationary bike in a couple of months and that should help.

I don't like the gym either. I am very self conscious and feel judged, even if I'm not. It is just creepy to me. I do like the pool though. That is my one happy place and I have done the water aerobics in the past. Can't afford the gym right now, but hopefully I can get back in soon.

Thanks Gabby, I workout at a gym three days per week, one hour each visit. I have run into some of the problems mentioned. Very few people use the disinfectant spray to clean up after themselves, but I always do. I did not always clean the machines before I started using them, I waited and cleaned AFTER using them, to be kind to the users following me. That backfired when I noticed a fungus infection developing on one upper leg. I stopped going to the gym and got a cream recommended by my dermatologist. A few weeks later, after healing, I continued at the gym and made sure I cleaned machines both before and after I used them. No problems now.

Gardening is good to me and also walking the dog. I do just want to add some more structured things and the Body by Banks that we did a while back is a great DVD to use. I really like it. That is where I can get some cardio in, because I really do need that.